Sign-up (?!): Tour of Andaman

I am more of a leisure cyclist, I prefer pedaling as a mode of transport (to work, groceries, shopping) and to explore new places on bicycle. We did this at Hampi, me and my husband with few friends (Chidambaram & Opendro) packed our cycles in car, used cycles to roam around Hampi and loved it. Unaware of what I was signing up for, I also did Great Malnad challenge (GMC 2018) which was quite a challenge but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It was quite inviting when Chidambaram (Chidu), family friend, shared info on  “Tour of Andaman” organized by team Parikrama. Team parikrama is run by a young, enthusiastic couple Dheeraj and Rajkiran. Dheeraj introduced the event as a week-long cycling tour at Andaman with many halts and sightseeing in between, so more like the Hampi trip. Me and my husband both wanted to go, but one had to be home with teen daughter and cat.

It was quite a hectic phase in my life, with medical needs for Amma, quite bit of other responsibilities, work, home, etc., I decided to opt out and give it a try next year. My good friend Chidambaram rekindled the desire, my mother was fully supportive despite her health situation (she was discharged just 3 weeks before, for medical management). My husband’s words “there will never be a right time, nothing will change within this one week” prompted me to register.

I hardly had any time to prep for the event, except for short jogs to keep myself active. I consoled myself that it is good enough if I make it to the trip, everything else is bonus, anyways it is more of a touring event.